Session 4: October 24, 2010

In this session we continued our exploration of Church, this time focusing on the Mass. Since we didn't get a chance to tour the 'brick and mortar' church last week, we took the opportunity to do so this week.


What Is Church?
When we say ‘the Church’ what do we mean? If we think only of Mass, it’s falling short of the reality. For example, if you join a gym and go a few times a year, does that make you an athlete? Being an athlete means living like an athlete, every day, in every way. It’s the same way being a member of the Church, the Ideal church that Jesus founded and gave a mission to. You live it every day in every way.

You’re lucky because your parents are members, so you grew up in the lifestyle without really realizing it. Going back to the athlete analogy, if one or both of your parents are athletes, chances are that you grew up eating healthy foods and exercising as a family. Your parents taught you right from wrong based on the teachings of the church, as they were taught. We hear all the time at graduations, baptisms, and confirmations how the parents are the first and best teachers of the faith, and you think, “I don’t remember my parents giving me lessons…” but they did, and still do. It may not be formal sit-down-with-a-pencil-and-paper lessons, they’re probably better lessons, like making you return the extra change, or hauling your butt out of bed on Sunday to go to Mass.

So when we say ‘the Church’ we need to remember that it’s not the building, not the Mass, not the parish, not the Holy See, and not the history. The church is US, and how we live every single day of our lives.

Why Do We Congregate?
We congregate in many ways:

• Sporting events- to root for our team
• Concerts: To share our love of music
• Family gatherings (both happy and sad)

We congregate to support one another, to share with one another, and to participate in something together. It’s human nature to gather. For Catholics, the universal ‘congregation moment’ is the Mass.

Why is Mass so important?
The Mass is the central expression of our faith. It’s more than just getting together for some songs and prayer, it’s an opportunity to actually be in the presence of God Himself, to share in the metaphysical moment when bread and wine are changed to the Body and Blood of Christ.